Jittery Sheep

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV).

Texas is not a state known for its sheep. We are cattle and horse country for the most part. However, I have known some folks who raise sheep. They are jittery little critters! They look calm and relaxed grazing or laying in the pasture until some sound or movement out of the ordinary awakens their suspicious nature. Up they get and off they trot, bleating as they go. It’s their natural protective response of fear. No amount of coaxing seems to persuade them otherwise. But then, I’m not their shepherd. The relationship between the shepherd and his sheep is what’s crucial. He knows them and they recognize his voice. His very presence challenges their many fears: tension within the flock, the “bully boy” sheep, irritating flies and insects, not to mention plain old hunger. In the company of the shepherd, sheep can do what they find so difficult: they can relax and lie down, and do so in the luscious pastures to which he’s led them. David knew this relationship first hand. It is no wonder that he uses it in our reading today. We are much like the sheep. We claim to be fine even though inside we may be anything but that. Someone has suggested that “FINE” is really just an acronym for “Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional.” Perhaps there is more truth to that than we might want to admit. Yesterday we talked a bit about never wanting for anything. David does say in our reading that “The Lord is our shepherd; I shall not want.” Unfortunately, that has led to some misunderstanding among the prosperity theology of our day. There are those who would say that there is nothing outside of our grasp if we just believe. Further, they would say that if you are living the kind of life God wants for you, you will never suffer anything. Well, we know that’s not true. The Apostle Paul was just one of the many faithful who suffered much; yet, he would be the first to say that he was fully satisfied and lacked nothing (cf. Philippians 4:10-13). David understands that real satisfaction means the absence of fear in the face of all circumstances. Let’s commit our every fear to our shepherd, whether big or small. He delights to calm our frantic natures and to feed us on his promises. When you think you have reached the end of your resources and have nowhere to turn, remember you have not been left defenseless. Your Shepherd is watching over you. He will never fail you!